Early DMARD Therapy Averts Cardiovascular Risk in RA

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A Finnish early RA register studied 14,878 incident RA patients from 2000-2008 and identified 1157 deaths.  Patients receiving DMARDs and MTX had lower mortality rates. The standardized moratility ratio for the entire cohort was reduced (0.57, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.62).

Hepatotoxicity and TNF Inhibitors

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Hepatic enzyme elevations with TNF inhibitor use is not uncommon.

Lancet: Increase Serious Infection Risk with Biologics

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Zoster Risk is Similar Among Different MOA Biologics

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The risk of new H zoster infection was studied among nearly 30,000 new biologic starts and compared rates seen with abatacept, adalimumab, rituximab, infliximab, etanercept, tocilizumab, certolizumab or golimumab initiation.

Communication is the Best Medicine

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Patients rate communication as one of the most important factors in choosing and sticking with a physician. The end product in at least 2/3 of visits is the prescription, yet prescription adherence is substandard in half of our patients. The key is communication.

The Risk of Listeriosis in RA

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In the mid-1990s, our Rheumatology Division at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School became involved with an early trial of a brand new TNF inhibitor.

Who Should Pay for Drug 'Take-Back' Programs

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Unused pills and prescriptions pose a significant safety risk in the home and may contribute to dosing errors or inadvertent drug use. The issue has led the DEA to sponsor national drug disposal programs and local municipalities have followed with similar programs. At issue is who shoul

Adjuvant Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine is 97% Effective in Adults

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Drug-Induced Lupus is Rare with TNF inhibitor Therapy

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Daily Aspirin Taken by More Than Half of Older U.S. Adults

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Despite guidelines stating that low dose aspirin is indicated for secondary prevention of MI and stroke, a recent survey shows that over half of US adults take daily low dose aspirin.

Review of Bisphosphonates and Atypical femoral fractures

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The Journal For Nurse Practitioners provides a succinct overview of atypical femoral fractures and bisphosphonates.   These popular agents account for 14 million prescriptions annually in the United States.

FDA Enforces New Drug Safety Labeling for Pregnant Women

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The traditional FDA pregnancy risk categories (A, B, C, D, X) have been scrapped in favor of a new labeling mandate called the pregnancy and lactation labeling rule (PLLR). This change has been under consideration at the FDA for nearly 2 years and was brought about by the belief that the old

The Science and Faith of Herpes Zoster Management

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Poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics - NY State

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Between 1999 and 2013 opiate-related deaths nearly quadrupled, with the death rate rising from 1.4 to 5.1 deaths per 100,000. These alarming statistics have lead to greater regulation and oversight to opiate use.